Live-in vs Live-out Housekeepers in Portugal: What's Right for You?
Compare live-in and live-out housekeepers in Portugal — cost, board and lodging, hours and rights, to choose what fits your home and budget.
Quick answer: A live-out housekeeper is ideal for hourly or by-the-day cleaning; a live-in housekeeper makes sense mainly when there's a need for extended support. If you provide board and lodging, they count as in-kind pay.
Live-in housekeeper
- High availability and flexibility
- Suited to families with substantial care needs (children, elderly)
- Board and lodging form part of the pay (in kind)
Live-out housekeeper
- Clearly defined hours and tasks
- More privacy at home
- The most common option for regular cleaning
Board and lodging: how they count
In the domestic-service regime, total pay must always be expressed in money; the value of any board and lodging provided is assessed by reference to the national minimum wage (€920 in 2026). On rest days and holidays when no meal is provided, that value is paid in cash.
Hours, rest and holidays
Labour rules apply: a maximum of 40 hours per week, one weekly rest day (usually Sunday) and 22 working days of holiday per year. Live-in workers are entitled to at least 11 consecutive hours of nightly rest.
Costs to consider
For a live-in role, the cash salary is topped up by the value of board and lodging; for live-out, you usually pay hourly or monthly. In both cases there are Social Security contributions and compulsory work-accident insurance.
How to decide
- For upkeep cleaning: live-out, hourly or by the day
- For extended daily support (elderly, young children): live-in may be worth it
- Weigh up space at home, privacy and total budget (not just the salary)
See also how much a housekeeper costs and housekeeper rights.
👉 Browse available housekeepers in Lisbon here.
Conclusion
Both options are legal and possible. For regular cleaning, live-out is usually the simpler choice; for extended support, live-in can be worth it — with board and lodging correctly valued as part of the pay.
Official sources
- Decreto-Lei n.º 235/92 – domestic service law
- Social Security – domestic service employer (seg-social.pt)
- Minimum wage 2026 (DGERT)
This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. Rules and figures (IAS, the minimum wage, contribution rates) are updated periodically and may have changed since this was last updated. Always confirm the details with the official sources listed below and seek professional advice if in doubt.
FAQ
Which is cheaper — live-in or live-out?
It depends on your needs. For hourly cleaning, live-out is usually cheaper; live-in is worth it when there's extended, daily support.
Do board and lodging count as pay?
Yes. They count as in-kind pay, but total remuneration must be expressed in money and valued by reference to the national minimum wage.
What hours apply to a live-in housekeeper?
The cap is 40 hours per week, with a weekly rest day and at least 11 consecutive hours of nightly rest for live-in workers.
How much holiday is owed?
22 working days per year, plus the holiday and Christmas subsidies, whether the worker is live-in or live-out.